THESE photos show the recovery of a lorry carrying clinical waste that overturned and came to rest just inches from railings above the A1M.

The heavy goods vehicle fell on its side on the roundabout overhanging the motorway at Junction 60, the Bradbury Interchange, near Sedgefield, just after 10.30am on Thursday (May 11).

It appeared the waste disposal lorry, which spilt some fuel following the incident, was just inches from the barrier on the flyover.

Damage was caused to the barrier but not a section that was overhead the motorway carriageways.

A spokesman for Durham Police said the driver was helped out by members of the public and was not understood to be seriously injured.

Emergency services including County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue and Durham Police were in attendance for about three hours during which an eastbound lane of the roundabout was closed.

At about 12.30pm the northbound carriageway of the A1M was closed while recovery was carried out by Highways England.

Police on Facebook posted: "The closure is required for safety reasons owing to the vehicle location on the flyover bridge."

No debris fell onto the A1M.

Alan Sewells Recovery Ltd, based at Evenwood, Bishop Auckland, were called to the scene and employee Paul Spence took the photos you can see here.

He wrote on Facebook: "J59 Bradbury today..full of clinical waste the smell was terrible!!

"Didn't take Alan Sewell Ltd long to transfer load and put it back on its feet and get the road clear.
"Well done Dave 'the crane' Metcalf and Peter 'the winch' Sewell."